Georgia "Jo" Evelyn Tomes

Submitted by Dawalt Funeral Home

Georgia "Jo" Evelyn (Tankersley, Kennedy) Tomes, of Pekin, Indiana, passed away in her home, surrounded by love on Wednesday, April 8th, 2026, at the age of 102.

She was born March 25, 1924, in Dryden, Virginia, and was the daughter of the late Burley Tankersley and Susie Jane (Clark) Tankersley.

She married Percy Kennedy in 1945, prior to his passing in 1960, they had two children: Beverly and Greg Kennedy. After raising her children, she married James “Jim” Eugene Tomes in 1988; Jim passed away in 2024 after 36 years of marriage.

Jo is survived by her son, Gregory Kennedy of Pekin, IN; stepdaughters, Kathy and Karol Tomes of Clarksville, TN; stepson, Jim Tomes of Old Fort, NC; 5 grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Alzada (Sadie) and multiple generations of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Beverly Kennedy; stepdaughter, Janet Tomes; granddaughter, Jamie (Tomes) Webb; and great granddaughter, Addison Hart.

A real life “Rosie the Riveter”, she was a Marine Corps aircraft mechanic at Quantico, VA during WWII, and went on to retire from the old B.F. Goodrich in Salem, IN. Jo was a long-time member of the South Liberty Church and hairstylist for 22 years before officially retiring, again.

Visitation: Friday 4/10/2026 from 4 - 8pm and from 10-1pm on Saturday.

Funeral Service: Saturday at 1pm at Dawalt Funeral Home with John Denny officiating. A committal service and Interment will follow at Mt. Washington Cemetery in Pekin, IN.